How to Properly Clean Blinds

By
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home. She's covered money-saving advice and tricks for numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among others. She is the owner of "My Frugal Home," a money-saving, frugal living how-to guide.
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Updated on 07/26/22
Window blinds held by hand with cotton glove for cleaning

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Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5

When doing a deep clean, never neglect the blinds. This rule of thumb is particularly important if you have pets, live in a dusty environment, or frequently leave your windows open. Dusty blinds make even the freshest spaces seem musty, and while it can be a bit tedious, dusting your blinds is really quite easy. Gather your supplies and follow the guide below for spotless blinds.

To get your blinds beautiful, you'll need a small handheld vacuum, a microfiber cloth, and your favorite all-purpose cleaner. While there are many other methods to dusting your blinds, we find that these three tools are the secret ingredients to getting the most efficient and effective clean possible. You can find any of these supplies online or in the cleaning section of your local superstore.

How Often Should I Clean My Blinds?

Blinds accumulate dust and dirt and should be thoroughly cleaned at least every two months to help keep them clean and dust-free. If they're located in the kitchen near cooking spaces, if you have pets, or if you regularly leave your windows open, you should clean them once a month to keep the blinds free from grease and dirt buildup. Plus, cleaning your blinds doesn't just make them look nice - it helps them last longer! Follow these steps and your blinds should last you for many years to come.

Choosing The Right Vacuum For Cleaning Your Blinds

To get the most thorough and effective clean, you'll want to use a vacuum on your blinds. Obviously you can't use a large, upright vacuum, so you'll need to choose a vacuum that works for your cleaning routine. Small handheld vacuums are easy to use, but sometimes are less effective than more standard canister vacuums. You'll want a vacuum that you could easily lift off the ground, and if it comes with a shoulder strap, all the better! Most importantly, when dusting blinds, try to find a vacuum that either comes with a HEPA filter or can easily have a HEPA filter attached to it. HEPA filters help trap fine dust that often is found on surfaces like windowsills and blinds. Without a HEPA filter, it's much more likely that the fine dust will be kicked back somewhere else in the room, making your clean much less effective and efficient.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Cleaning Equipment

  • 1 lightweight or handheld vacuum
  • 1 microfiber cloth
  • 1 ladder (optional/as needed)

Materials

Cleaning Supplies

  • 1 bottle all-purpose cleaner

Instructions

Lay Blinds Flat First

Adjust your blinds so that they lay flat with the widest part of the blind facing you. You'll want to create a smooth, flat surface that is easy to vacuum.

Start By Vacuuming

Grab a lightweight or handheld vacuum and slowly work your way across each blind in horizontal strokes. To do this efficiently you'll need a vacuum that is lightweight and easy to lift over your head. It's also a good idea to invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter, or buy one that you can attach on to the vacuum you currently have (this is usually pretty easy - you just might have to do a few Google searches). HEPA filters pick up fine dust, dirt and pet hair that often just gets spit back out by regular vacuums. Usually HEPA filters go for around $10, so they are definitely worth the money.

Next, Wipe Each Blind Down

Once you've thoroughly vacuumed your blinds, switch the position so they are parallel to each other (with the most narrow edge of the blind facing you). Then, grab a microfiber cloth, spray it with 1-2 sprays of your favorite all-purpose cleaner, and get to wiping. We highly recommend using microfiber instead of a standard feather duster. Microfiber is specially made to actually physically pick up each speck of dust and catch it in the fabric. Many other dusters just push the dust off of the blinds and onto the floor, which doesn't make for a very efficient clean.

Tips to Keep Your Blinds Clean Longer

  • Dust blinds weekly by vacuuming them using the vacuum brush attachment or a duster.
  • Wipe the blinds with used dryer sheets to help lift dust off and repel any future dust.

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